Racing: Bonniegirl looks like filly to beat at Ellerslie

Albany Reunion is going to take some holding out in race 7. Photo / Greg Bowker

Bonniegirl looks like a filly heading places and she should prove that in Race 3 at Ellerslie this afternoon.

She was ridden like the best horse in her last appearance at Matamata and so it proved.

She is learning with each trip to the races and although drawn fractionally wider than you'd prefer today against a pretty useful field, she will give a good account.

Way In (No5) is due to have things go her way for a change. She is well up to this.

Two-year-old races at this early part of the season can be tricky, but Halleloojah (No1, R2) was so stylish in his winning debut at Avondale that he has to be the No 1 pick. Good to see Opie Bosson back in the raceday saddle. Halleloojah is the only acceptor to have raced, but there is no shortage of barrier trials form. O'Dianne (No5), China Silk (No4) and Landed Gentry (No2) among them.

The Cosmos (No8, R4) did a good job finishing fourth on debut. Nothing was going to beat the winner Vinnie Eagle in that race and The Cosmos should be improved.

Kendoka (No7, R6) showed his appreciation of the 2400m in winning last start and he gets the same tough trip again here. Irene Alice (No5) didn't quite measure up to open company at Hastings last start, but will find this easier.

Even with 59.5kg topweight and a bad barrier, Albany Reunion (No1, R7) is going to take some holding out. He is all class and on his way to a very high ranking both here and in Australia.

As insurance against the combination of the weight and the barrier draw combining for a problem, have a saver on Kelly O'Reilly (No7). She was a bit disappointing when only fifth at Hastings last start, but her resuming second to Miss Selby was a standout run.

The No 11 barrier draw is very tricky, but Ultraviolet (No11, R8) may not be out of contention. She looked good in her first preparation and should be better this time in. She will need luck, but could well get it.

The wide barrier looks a horror show, but Orange Peel (No12, R9) has early speed to help her overcome that and it will look better when the scratchings come out. Additionally, the 2kg Jack Wong removes from her back will be valuable.

That second last start to talented Bonniegirl is good form for this. Casino Park's (No2) first-up fifth at Hastings was a beaut.

Congratulations to the Waikato Racing Club for staging a couple of Classic Jockeys races at Te Rapa.

These races used to be run regularly and, not unkindly, referred to as oldtimers' races.

The pair of races will be run at the Cambridge Jockey Club meeting on November 23 and the Waikato Racing Club meeting on December 20.

Ken Rutherford, general manager of the Waikato Racing Club, sees it as a good opportunity to celebrate the careers of some of the legends of the New Zealand turf.

"We see other sports being proactive in honouring their past champions - racing does not do this nearly enough.

"This is a chance for our two clubs to get together and, in some way, show they are not forgotten."

Spokesman for the Classic Jockeys, Bob Vance, was happy to support the series.

"For me, it will be great to rekindle past friendships and get that competitive streak going again. It should be a great series and worthy of public support."

The full roster of Classic Jockeys includes: Bob Vance, Jim Collett, Bruce Herd, Paul Richards, Linda Ballantyne, Lee Tiley, Chad Ormsby, Kevin Morton, Darren Weatherley and Stephen Autridge.

The races will be over 1200m for maidens, with no betting.

These races have proved popular in Australia with the likes of Lester Piggott and Linda Jones competing.